DEV-BD6BF4: Medieval copper alloy zoomorphic swivel

Rights Holder: Somerset County Council
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STRAP FITTING

Unique ID: DEV-BD6BF4

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

An incomplete Medieval copper alloy swivel, probably dating to c. AD 1100-1500. The item comprises of a single loop, sub-circular and broken at the apex, with either arm tapering into a worn, patinated point. The loop has a sub-circular cross section, with two sets of two gnarled, bulbous ridges flanking a flat oval base with a circular perforation. By comparison to other examples these are most likely highly debased zoomorphic animal heads, grasping the base in their jaws. The base has a large circular perforation.

Dimensions: height 22.3mm; width 25.9mm thickness at base 10.6mm; thickness prior to break at apex 2.3mm; weight 6.45g.

Although better executed, a similar loop can be seen attached to a strap distributer decorated in the romanesque style and inlaid with silver, found at Rattray Castle (Hinton 2005: 182). Examples of more comparible workmanship can be seen recorded on this database, see for example PUBLIC-9CE500 and DUR-6AEB8E.

Class: swivel

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1100
Date to: Circa AD 1500

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Height: 22.3 mm
Width: 25.9 mm
Thickness: 10.6 mm
Weight: 6.45 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Wednesday 1st February 2017 - Wednesday 1st February 2017

Personal details

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Other reference numbers

Other reference: SCC receipt: 019339

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Completeness: Incomplete

Spatial metadata

Region: South West (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Dorset (County)
District: North Dorset (District)
Parish or ward: Tarrant Crawford (Civil Parish)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: ST9102
Four figure Latitude: 50.81747396
Four figure longitude: -2.12912413
1:25K map: ST9102
1:10K map: ST90SW
Grid reference source: GPS (from the finder)
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Hinton, D.A.	2005	Gold and Gilt, Pots and Pins: Possessions and People in Medieval Britain	Oxford	Oxford University Press

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Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: DEV
Created: 6 years ago
Updated: 6 years ago

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